B.League Championship: Nagasaki Velca Defeats Rival Alvarick Tokyo, One Win Away from Semifinals
Nagasaki Velca won the first game of the quarterfinals against Alvarck Tokyo at the B.League Championship (CS) opening on the 7th, putting them one victory away from advancing to the semifinals.
Historic CS Debut at Home Arena
This marked Nagasaki Velca's first Championship appearance since their B3 promotion just five seasons ago. The decisive games are being held at their home Happiness Arena.
The fans, united under the new slogan "WE THE NAGASAKI," gathered eagerly for this crucial matchup. One supporter shared: "We really wanted to win today—it's our chance for revenge against Tokyo."
Quarterfinal Format
The quarterfinals are a best-of-two series, requiring two wins to advance. Nagasaki faced Alvarck Tokyo, their "arch-rival" against whom they went 0-6 in the regular season.
Game Flow and Highlights
1st Quarter: Nagasaki struck first with Lee Hyung-jun's three-pointer, followed by dunks from Mitchell and Blountley, taking an early lead. However, Alvarck's league-leading defense clamped down on Nagasaki's three-point game, ending the quarter 22-20.
2nd Quarter: Only one of six three-point attempts found the mark as Alvarck's organized offense took over. Trailing 36-42, Nagasaki needed a turnaround.
3rd Quarter: Mitchell's alley-oop dunk ignited a rally. Guard Kumagai, celebrating his 30th birthday that day, took over with skilled drives and consecutive fast-break layups. The team executed 19 unanswered points, fueled by their signature high-intensity defense and fast-paced transition game.
Final Score: Nagasaki 93 - 78 Alvarck Tokyo (22-20, 14-22, 30-15, 27-21)
Player Reactions
Kumagai Kaito: "We executed strong defense in the second half and showcased our offensive plays. It was the best birthday present ever."
Ba-ba Yuta: "The crowd noise was incredible—CS mode for sure. The boosters pushed us forward with the same intensity as the players."
Looking Ahead
Game 2: Tomorrow at 7:05 PM
With momentum on their side, Nagasaki Velca aims to secure their spot in the semifinals in the second leg of this best-of-two series.